The final day of the NBA regular season has arrived, and the NBA Western Division is on fire. As Game 82 tips off on Sunday, seven West teams are fighting for playoff spots. For some, it’s win and you’re in. For others, it’s survive and hope.
The tension is sky-high. Four teams — Golden State, Denver, the Clippers, and Minnesota — are clawing for just three guaranteed playoff slots. One of them will be forced into the dreaded play-in game.
All eyes are on the 3:30 p.m. Eastern start time when every crucial matchup begins. It’s the closest playoff race the West has seen in years.
West Battle: Warriors vs. Clippers Is Do-Or-Die
Golden State and the Clippers face off in a game that could decide both of their fates. The loser likely falls to the play-in. Meanwhile, Denver and Minnesota are hoping to seal a guaranteed playoff spot with a win.
Right now, Denver sits at No. 4, followed by the Clippers at No. 5, and Golden State at No. 6. Minnesota, at No. 7, hosts the lowly Utah Jazz but needs help to climb.
“We win, and we control our destiny,” said Timberwolves forward Julius Randle. “That’s all we can ask.”
Play-In Picture Set to Shift Fast
If the current standings hold, the West play-in matchups will be Timberwolves vs. Grizzlies and Kings vs. Mavericks. The winner of Kings-Mavericks would face the loser of Timberwolves-Grizzlies for the final spot.
Locked into the playoffs already are the top three: Oklahoma City at No. 1, Houston at No. 2, and the Lakers at No. 3. But who they’ll face is still up in the air.
As it stands now, the West playoffs would look like this:
- Thunder vs. play-in winner
- Rockets vs. play-in runner-up
- Lakers vs. Warriors
- Nuggets vs. Clippers
But that could all change depending on Sunday’s outcomes.
East Playoff Bracket Already Locked In
While the West scrambles, the East is set. Cleveland grabbed the top seed, followed by Boston, New York, and Indiana. Detroit takes the No. 6 slot, facing the Knicks in Round 1. Milwaukee and Indiana battle it out in the 4-5 matchup.
In the East play-in tournament:
- No. 7 Orlando hosts No. 8 Atlanta on Tuesday
- No. 9 Chicago hosts No. 10 Miami on Wednesday
The winner of Orlando-Atlanta moves on to face Boston, while the loser must battle the winner of Chicago-Miami to earn a date with Cleveland.
Iron Men Play All 82 Games
On the health front, eleven players are on track to appear in all 82 games this season. Among them, Mikal Bridges of the Knicks is the ironman of the NBA. He hasn’t missed a single game in his pro career.
San Antonio’s Chris Paul could become the second-oldest player ever to start all 82 games. At nearly 40, he’s defying Father Time.
Others aiming for 82 include Jarrett Allen, Harrison Barnes, Jalen Green, and Jaden McDaniels. That level of consistency could prove crucial come playoff time.
Historic Win Totals This Season
Six teams — Thunder, Cavaliers, Celtics, Rockets, Lakers, and Knicks — have already hit the 50-win mark. Denver, Indiana, and the Clippers could join them on Sunday. If they all succeed, it would mark the first time since 2015 that nine teams reached 50 wins in a single season.
Cleveland, Boston, and Oklahoma City have each surpassed 60 wins. Boston’s 15th 60-win season extends their NBA record.
As Sunday arrives, the playoff puzzle is almost complete. But in the wild West, the final pieces won’t fall into place until the last buzzer sounds.
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NBA Playoff chaos hits the Western Conference as seven teams fight for seeding on Game 82. Warriors, Nuggets, and Timberwolves face must-win moments.
